Standings:
1.) Draper 8-2 (1-2 upset)
2.) Seeberg 7-3 (1-2 upset)
2.) Schweinfurth 7-3 (0-3 upset)
4.) Hoying 6-4 (1-2 upset)
Conference play begins in earnest across the landscape (well, not so much in the ACC), and a lot of early season 3-0 hopefuls are squaring off in the hopes of positioning themselves as early front-runners to grab one of 12 lucrative Playoff berths. September may be for pretenders, but we'll soon find out whose make believe journey will crash and burn before October even arrives.
Texas Tech Red Raiders @ Utah Utes
Draper: The Big 12 feels like a grab-bag week in and week out. Along with Iowa State, these two teams are the frontrunners in the conference game, and this week could go a long way to deciding the Big 12 Championship Game appearance. Texas Tech is the new hotness with that oil money being dumped in, but old stalwart Utah looks pretty good. Devon Dampier has been solid at QB and I think he's the difference. Rice Eccles is rocking for a Big Noon game, but the Utes QB leads the team to victory. TTU: 24--Utah: 31
Hoying: These two teams have looked fantastic so far against a six-pack of wet paper sacks. And Big 12 conference play hasn't even started yet, wait until they get to play the teams that lost to Ohio and Army. Utah was a heavy favorite to win the first edition of the new-look Big 12 last season before heavily faceplanting down the stretch, while TTU hasn't challenged for a conference title since Michael Crabtree shocked Longhorn Nation all the way back in 2008. But the winner of this game should be in the driver's seat for the climb atop the nation's least prestigious "major" conference. The Utes stumbled out to a close halftime lead last week against Wyoming before pulling away for a comfortable win in the second half (sounds familiar), while Texas Tech has scored at least 45 straight points to open all 3 of their games so far this year (looks like that NIL war chest is paying off already). I like the Red Raiders to keep rolling on the road. TTU: 34--Utah: 28
Schweinfurth: I saw a stat that Texas Tech was one of the top defenses in the country. That's a far cry from the Mike Leach Air Raid days. Past that, I need to go with my instinct. Texas Tech wins. TTU: 30--Utah 17
Seeberg: I’m not going to act like an expert on either of these teams. What I do know, however, is that the Utes are a tough matchup at home, and though total talent may be on the side of the Red Raiders, the cohesiveness year over year at Utah is rare these days, and it will show up late in a close, entertaining win. TTU: 27–Utah: 31
Draper: The Big 12 feels like a grab-bag week in and week out. Along with Iowa State, these two teams are the frontrunners in the conference game, and this week could go a long way to deciding the Big 12 Championship Game appearance. Texas Tech is the new hotness with that oil money being dumped in, but old stalwart Utah looks pretty good. Devon Dampier has been solid at QB and I think he's the difference. Rice Eccles is rocking for a Big Noon game, but the Utes QB leads the team to victory. TTU: 24--Utah: 31
Hoying: These two teams have looked fantastic so far against a six-pack of wet paper sacks. And Big 12 conference play hasn't even started yet, wait until they get to play the teams that lost to Ohio and Army. Utah was a heavy favorite to win the first edition of the new-look Big 12 last season before heavily faceplanting down the stretch, while TTU hasn't challenged for a conference title since Michael Crabtree shocked Longhorn Nation all the way back in 2008. But the winner of this game should be in the driver's seat for the climb atop the nation's least prestigious "major" conference. The Utes stumbled out to a close halftime lead last week against Wyoming before pulling away for a comfortable win in the second half (sounds familiar), while Texas Tech has scored at least 45 straight points to open all 3 of their games so far this year (looks like that NIL war chest is paying off already). I like the Red Raiders to keep rolling on the road. TTU: 34--Utah: 28
Schweinfurth: I saw a stat that Texas Tech was one of the top defenses in the country. That's a far cry from the Mike Leach Air Raid days. Past that, I need to go with my instinct. Texas Tech wins. TTU: 30--Utah 17
Seeberg: I’m not going to act like an expert on either of these teams. What I do know, however, is that the Utes are a tough matchup at home, and though total talent may be on the side of the Red Raiders, the cohesiveness year over year at Utah is rare these days, and it will show up late in a close, entertaining win. TTU: 27–Utah: 31
Auburn Tigers @ Oklahoma Sooners
Draper: Jackson Arnold....REVENGE. There is so much said about Auburn due to his acquisition, but they've been pretty mid thus far (against garbage). At least OU put together a win against TTUN...even though they did everything in their power to blow it. Mateer directed a nice offensive attack and the Sooner defense was lights out (if they laid off the dumb penalties). If they can play a clean game, that Venables D is a scary sight. Add to it that it's in Norman and I think Hugh Freeze and the Tigahs get a dose of reality in the new SEC. Aub: 10--OU: 20
Hoying: Welcome to the Jackson Arnold Bowl. After a disastrous 2024 for the Sooners which saw him finish with a dreadful QBR of 47.9 (including a 1.2 in a 25-15 loss to Tennessee), the cast-off QB has found happy landings at Auburn, where he's quietly put together a better young season than OU's shiny new Heisman candidate transfer QB John Mateer. Now, Arnold is doing this against teams like Baylor while Mateer had to face Michigan (who, in all fairness, looked lost on defense against OU), but it's still odd to see a QB leave Oklahoma and get dramatically better. We're not in the Bob Stoops / Lincoln Riley era anymore, folks. But, on the other side of the ball, the Brent Venables era seems to have finally reached Norman, as the Sooner defense has been stifling so far this season after a few false starts. OU put Bryce Underwood in a blender and I wouldn't be surprised to see them do the same to their old rock-slinger. Sooners stay deep in the hunt to challenge Georgia for the SEC title. Aub: 17--OU: 24
Schweinfurth: Oklahoma showed that Will Venables still knows how to play defense. Auburn, at least in my mind, is still lost since everyone can pay players now. Shocking, I know. OU wins close. Aub: 13--OU: 17
Seeberg: I’m tired of seeing 90% of the SEC ranked. Auburn needs to lose this game solely for that reason, because OU would stay ranked with a loss (quality losses ftw!). The Sooners have officially embraced the SEC by playing defense finally, and that D will be just good enough…giggity. Aub: 20—OU: 27
Draper: Jackson Arnold....REVENGE. There is so much said about Auburn due to his acquisition, but they've been pretty mid thus far (against garbage). At least OU put together a win against TTUN...even though they did everything in their power to blow it. Mateer directed a nice offensive attack and the Sooner defense was lights out (if they laid off the dumb penalties). If they can play a clean game, that Venables D is a scary sight. Add to it that it's in Norman and I think Hugh Freeze and the Tigahs get a dose of reality in the new SEC. Aub: 10--OU: 20
Hoying: Welcome to the Jackson Arnold Bowl. After a disastrous 2024 for the Sooners which saw him finish with a dreadful QBR of 47.9 (including a 1.2 in a 25-15 loss to Tennessee), the cast-off QB has found happy landings at Auburn, where he's quietly put together a better young season than OU's shiny new Heisman candidate transfer QB John Mateer. Now, Arnold is doing this against teams like Baylor while Mateer had to face Michigan (who, in all fairness, looked lost on defense against OU), but it's still odd to see a QB leave Oklahoma and get dramatically better. We're not in the Bob Stoops / Lincoln Riley era anymore, folks. But, on the other side of the ball, the Brent Venables era seems to have finally reached Norman, as the Sooner defense has been stifling so far this season after a few false starts. OU put Bryce Underwood in a blender and I wouldn't be surprised to see them do the same to their old rock-slinger. Sooners stay deep in the hunt to challenge Georgia for the SEC title. Aub: 17--OU: 24
Schweinfurth: Oklahoma showed that Will Venables still knows how to play defense. Auburn, at least in my mind, is still lost since everyone can pay players now. Shocking, I know. OU wins close. Aub: 13--OU: 17
Seeberg: I’m tired of seeing 90% of the SEC ranked. Auburn needs to lose this game solely for that reason, because OU would stay ranked with a loss (quality losses ftw!). The Sooners have officially embraced the SEC by playing defense finally, and that D will be just good enough…giggity. Aub: 20—OU: 27
Tulane Green Wave @ Mississippi Rebels
Draper: Both teams enter undefeated, but neither has looked particularly sharp. Ole Miss eked out 2 SEC wins against meh competition, but those 2 wins are much more solid than whatever Tulane has rolled out. Tulane is the sneaky team for Group of 5 consideration and this is the game to cement their spot on the top of the pile. However, I don't think they have the athletes to hang in this one. Even if the Rebs start the backup QB (as presumed), the Wave need some magic to swing this at the Grove. BYU transfer Jake Retzlaff is a decent talent, but the line play delivers another win for the SEC. Tul: 16--Miss: 34
Hoying: I know, I know, this seems like a bit of a mismatch to put on here, but Tulane has a habit of making people (me) look like fools when they're underestimated. Ole Miss starting QB Austin Simmons may be out with an injury for a second week in a row, and while Trinidad Chambliss was no slouch in relief last week, the Rebs still struggled to put away Arkansas, and this was after letting Kentucky hang around all game the week prior. Tulane has taken care of business against Northwestern and Duke (who, in all fairness, might both be really bad) behind a decent offense and a serviceable defense, but they haven't seen anything like what Ole Miss is about to throw at them. No need to overthink this one. The Green Wave's path the the Playoff still runs through the AAC Championship. Tul: 17--Miss: 31
Schweinfurth: Again, this is an instinct pick for me. File it under, I've haven't had enough time to actually much football so far. Ole' Miss wins. Tul: 20--Miss: 35
Seeberg: Good news: Tulane is good, and feisty. Bad news, they’re good enough that Kiffin won’t allow his Ole Miss squad to overlook them. That will happen later this season to a random nonsensical SEC team. Rebels pull away. Tul: 20—Miss: 38
Draper: Both teams enter undefeated, but neither has looked particularly sharp. Ole Miss eked out 2 SEC wins against meh competition, but those 2 wins are much more solid than whatever Tulane has rolled out. Tulane is the sneaky team for Group of 5 consideration and this is the game to cement their spot on the top of the pile. However, I don't think they have the athletes to hang in this one. Even if the Rebs start the backup QB (as presumed), the Wave need some magic to swing this at the Grove. BYU transfer Jake Retzlaff is a decent talent, but the line play delivers another win for the SEC. Tul: 16--Miss: 34
Hoying: I know, I know, this seems like a bit of a mismatch to put on here, but Tulane has a habit of making people (me) look like fools when they're underestimated. Ole Miss starting QB Austin Simmons may be out with an injury for a second week in a row, and while Trinidad Chambliss was no slouch in relief last week, the Rebs still struggled to put away Arkansas, and this was after letting Kentucky hang around all game the week prior. Tulane has taken care of business against Northwestern and Duke (who, in all fairness, might both be really bad) behind a decent offense and a serviceable defense, but they haven't seen anything like what Ole Miss is about to throw at them. No need to overthink this one. The Green Wave's path the the Playoff still runs through the A
Schweinfurth: Again, this is an instinct pick for me. File it under, I've haven't had enough time to actually much football so far. Ole' Miss wins. Tul: 20--Miss: 35
Seeberg: Good news: Tulane is good, and feisty. Bad news, they’re good enough that Kiffin won’t allow his Ole Miss squad to overlook them. That will happen later this season to a random nonsensical SEC team. Rebels pull away. Tul: 20—Miss: 38
Michigan Wolverines @ Nebraska Cornhuskers
Draper: What is Michigan this year? What is Nebraska this year? Does anybody really know what time it is? I honestly have no clue. Underwood looked like a deer in headlights in Norman and 'batman' against powerhouse Central Michigan. Will Nebraska under Matt Rhule and Dylan Raiola ever deliver? The biggest issue for the maize and blue is that their defense isn't the monster we saw the last few years. While the offense took a slight step forward with Justice Haynes and an upgrade at QB, the defense has regressed after so much talent went to the league. This will come down to whether or not Nebraska can be competent on offense. If Nebraska can stay ahead of the sticks and not shoot themselves in the foot, they might finally get a decent win for the first time in what feels like 10 years. Flip a coin, but I'm guessing Underwood still isn't ready for the road and the Huskers win (?) a close game. UM: 20--Neb: 23
Hoying: This is it, Nebraska. If you want to prove you belong back at the big boy table, it's time to finally beat an opponent with a pulse, something the Huskers arguably haven't done since snakebiting 2015 Playoff participant Michigan State Spartans. Then again, it's possible that the Wolverines are fraudulent this year as well. Sure, they looked great pummeling Central Michigan by a margin of 60 last week (take that, two-timing Connor Stalions), but they looked utterly lost on both sides of the ball the week prior in Norman. I'm not ready to declare last year an aberrant season for Michigan, or to herald Bryce Underwood as the next big thing, but I'll believe the Cornhuskers are back when I see it, and not a moment before. Don't be surprised if they limp along to lackluster losses to USC and Penn State along the way to another mediocre bowl berth. Plus, Sherrone Moore is still sidelined for this game, so the maize and blue can't help but overperform for one more week. Let's just hope his single suspended game next year isn't against us. UM: 27--Neb: 20
Schweinfurth: I can't pick Nebraska until they can actually win one of these games. Seriously, I have no faith in the Huskers to win big games, ESPECIALLY if they are close. This smells like a one score game to me. So the Huskers and wannabe Mahomes lose close again. UM: 20--Neb: 17
Seeberg: With the LARGE caveat that UM isn’t a “big” win, it feels like Nebraska has had several of these games to return to, at least second-tier national prominence over the past 20 years and just fallen flat on their face every time. Remarkably, two 5-star QBs headline this one (welcome to the NIL era officially). Underwood, however, looked dreadful in his first road test and I just don’t think they have the weapons to beat anyone of consequence. I’m not convinced the Huskers are in that category, but this W would go a long way towards it. Raiola leads a FG drive late and Underwood can’t match it. UM: 20—Neb: 23
Draper: What is Michigan this year? What is Nebraska this year? Does anybody really know what time it is? I honestly have no clue. Underwood looked like a deer in headlights in Norman and 'batman' against powerhouse Central Michigan. Will Nebraska under Matt Rhule and Dylan Raiola ever deliver? The biggest issue for the maize and blue is that their defense isn't the monster we saw the last few years. While the offense took a slight step forward with Justice Haynes and an upgrade at QB, the defense has regressed after so much talent went to the league. This will come down to whether or not Nebraska can be competent on offense. If Nebraska can stay ahead of the sticks and not shoot themselves in the foot, they might finally get a decent win for the first time in what feels like 10 years. Flip a coin, but I'm guessing Underwood still isn't ready for the road and the Huskers win (?) a close game. UM: 20--Neb: 23
Hoying: This is it, Nebraska. If you want to prove you belong back at the big boy table, it's time to finally beat an opponent with a pulse, something the Huskers arguably haven't done since snakebiting 2015 Playoff participant Michigan State Spartans. Then again, it's possible that the Wolverines are fraudulent this year as well. Sure, they looked great pummeling Central Michigan by a margin of 60 last week (take that, two-timing Connor Stalions), but they looked utterly lost on both sides of the ball the week prior in Norman. I'm not ready to declare last year an aberrant season for Michigan, or to herald Bryce Underwood as the next big thing, but I'll believe the Cornhuskers are back when I see it, and not a moment before. Don't be surprised if they limp along to lackluster losses to USC and Penn State along the way to another mediocre bowl berth. Plus, Sherrone Moore is still sidelined for this game, so the maize and blue can't help but overperform for one more week. Let's just hope his single suspended game next year isn't against us. UM: 27--Neb: 20
Schweinfurth: I can't pick Nebraska until they can actually win one of these games. Seriously, I have no faith in the Huskers to win big games, ESPECIALLY if they are close. This smells like a one score game to me. So the Huskers and wannabe Mahomes lose close again. UM: 20--Neb: 17
Seeberg: With the LARGE caveat that UM isn’t a “big” win, it feels like Nebraska has had several of these games to return to, at least second-tier national prominence over the past 20 years and just fallen flat on their face every time. Remarkably, two 5-star QBs headline this one (welcome to the NIL era officially). Underwood, however, looked dreadful in his first road test and I just don’t think they have the weapons to beat anyone of consequence. I’m not convinced the Huskers are in that category, but this W would go a long way towards it. Raiola leads a FG drive late and Underwood can’t match it. UM: 20—Neb: 23
Illinois Fighting Illini @ Indiana Hoosiers
Draper: I'm actually surprised this isn't Gameday.... UF/UM is a nice 'rivalry' (kind of), but Florida is a Jekyll and Hyde team while we all hold our breath for the Beck collapse. This is a big time game in which we'll find if either of these teams is going to step up to be this year's....Indiana? Bert has people really drinking the Illini Kool Aid after the win over the Gamecocks in bowl season, but best guess is that these teams are actually both pretty mid 15-25 ranked teams that will bluster until they play someone of note (see IU last year). Cignetti was very smart grabbing that money as soon as possible because keeping IU relevant will be a monumental task. The QB transfer of MENDOZAAAAA has slung it nicely for the crimson while Altmyer has been fine for what seems like forever. Neither team has played anyone (at all) so we'll out at least one of these teams as pretenders here. I'm pretty surprised that the Hoosiers are favored by nearly a TD (and the line has moved more heavily in their favor. Bloomington can be a little dangerous when IU believes (which they do), but at the end of the day, I lowkey think the Illini are better. I'm going with boy genius Bert and hoping that he isn't able to fart this away. Ill: 23--IU: 20
Hoying: And just like everyone foresaw, the biggest game of the day is between IU and UI (not even the Iowa version). You can say that Indiana is coasting on the fumes of last season's campaign in which they beat nobody of note and got blown out by both ranked teams they played, but the Hoosiers have been taking care of business against this year's awful teams after a slow start against Old Dominion. Illinois is ranked 10 spots higher thanks to little more than random guessing and hype from the college football media machine, but the Illini have looked the part as well outside of a shaky first half against Duke (who, again, might just be really bad). I'm not ready to call either of these teams a real contender for the Big Ten title (much like the teams immediately above) but the winner may be able to clog up the Big Ten rankings in the way that Indiana and Penn State did last year. As for the pieces on the field, Illinois will be missing a key defender as all-B1G DB Xavier Scott is out with an injury, which is bad news when you're facing Indiana's latest volcanic repeater transfer QB, the erstwhile Cal Bear Fernando Mendoza. I'll cut Indiana a break for losing to the two top ranked teams last season; I don't think their ceiling is losing to every ranked team they play. Curt Cignetti keeps it interesting for a couple more weeks before a rude awakening in Autzen. Ill: 24--Ind: 27
Schweinfurth: Indiana thinks they have the formula. Play a bunch of no name cupcakes in the non-conference and sneak into the playoffs. Smart, until they run into elite teams. Yes, the Hoosiers beat up on Indiana State. They should have. But going from that game to a ranked game isn't a step up, it's a flight to the moon. This feels like an Illini win to me. Ill: 28--IU: 24
Seeberg: Gosh this is a brutal pick…and incredibly an important one in the CFP landscape. Winner has a good track to be 2024 Indiana and snag that 4th B1G spot. Both have looked steady, but Bloomington isn’t exactly a brutal road environment. Bert has his team playing clean, and as good as I think Mendoza is, he may feel the need to press when he’s not playing Larry Bird’s FCS alma mater. One mistake too many gives the Illini a late W. Ill: 27—Ind: 23
Hoying: And just like everyone foresaw, the biggest game of the day is between IU and UI (not even the Iowa version). You can say that Indiana is coasting on the fumes of last season's campaign in which they beat nobody of note and got blown out by both ranked teams they played, but the Hoosiers have been taking care of business against this year's awful teams after a slow start against Old Dominion. Illinois is ranked 10 spots higher thanks to little more than random guessing and hype from the college football media machine, but the Illini have looked the part as well outside of a shaky first half against Duke (who, again, might just be really bad). I'm not ready to call either of these teams a real contender for the Big Ten title (much like the teams immediately above) but the winner may be able to clog up the Big Ten rankings in the way that Indiana and Penn State did last year. As for the pieces on the field, Illinois will be missing a key defender as all-B1G DB Xavier Scott is out with an injury, which is bad news when you're facing Indiana's latest volcanic repeater transfer QB, the erstwhile Cal Bear Fernando Mendoza. I'll cut Indiana a break for losing to the two top ranked teams last season; I don't think their ceiling is losing to every ranked team they play. Curt Cignetti keeps it interesting for a couple more weeks before a rude awakening in Autzen. Ill: 24--Ind: 27
Schweinfurth: Indiana thinks they have the formula. Play a bunch of no name cupcakes in the non-conference and sneak into the playoffs. Smart, until they run into elite teams. Yes, the Hoosiers beat up on Indiana State. They should have. But going from that game to a ranked game isn't a step up, it's a flight to the moon. This feels like an Illini win to me. Ill: 28--IU: 24
Seeberg: Gosh this is a brutal pick…and incredibly an important one in the CFP landscape. Winner has a good track to be 2024 Indiana and snag that 4th B1G spot. Both have looked steady, but Bloomington isn’t exactly a brutal road environment. Bert has his team playing clean, and as good as I think Mendoza is, he may feel the need to press when he’s not playing Larry Bird’s FCS alma mater. One mistake too many gives the Illini a late W. Ill: 27—Ind: 23
Upset Special
Draper: Florida over Miami (gross on all fronts)
Hoying: Georgia State over Vanderbilt
Schweinfurth: Purdue over Notre Dame
Seeberg: Maryland over Wisconsin
No comments:
Post a Comment